Share This Story!

Crimea votes to join Russian Federation

Men hold Russian (Top R) and Soviet Union flags in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Polls opened today in a referendum on the peninsula of Crimea, in which voters are to voice their wish to either join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)

Post to Facebook

{#
#}

CancelSend

Sent!

A link has been sent to your friend's email address.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Join the Conversation

Crimea votes to join Russian Federation

Men hold Russian (Top R) and Soviet Union flags in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Polls opened today in a referendum on the peninsula of Crimea, in which voters are to voice their wish to either join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) FILIPPO MONTEFORTE AFP/Getty Images

Men hold Russian (R) and Soviet Union flags in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Polls opened today in a referendum on the peninsula of Crimea, in which voters are to voice their wish to either join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) FILIPPO MONTEFORTE AFP/Getty Images

A Crimean man holds a Soviet Union flag in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Polls opened today in a referendum on the peninsula of Crimea, in which voters are to voice their wish to either join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

A man holds a Soviet Union flag in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Polls opened today in a referendum on the peninsula of Crimea, in which voters are to voice their wish to either join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian flags are reflected in a woman's sunglasses as demonstrators march through the streets of London on March 16, 2014, in protest against Russia's actions in Crimea and Ukraine. Crimeans voted Sunday in a unique referendum on breaking away from Ukraine to join Russia that has precipitated a Cold War-style security crisis on Europe's eastern frontier. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW G COWIE,ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) AFP AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian flags are pictured as demonstrators march through the streets of London on March 16, 2014, in protest against Russia's actions in Crimea and Ukraine. Crimeans voted Sunday in a unique referendum on breaking away from Ukraine to join Russia that has precipitated a Cold War-style security crisis on Europe's eastern frontier. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) ANDREW COWIE AFP/Getty Images

BACHCHISARAY, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Proskunin Mikhail who was too infirm to visit a polling station casts his vote at his home in a predominantly Russian area of Bachchisaray on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

Pro-Russian supporters dance as they celebrate in Sevastopol on March 16, 2014. Crimeans voted Sunday in a referendum to join Russia as tensions escalated in eastern Ukraine in the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. Russia President Vladimir Putin vowed to "respect" the outcome of the vote in a region that is now under the de facto control of Russian forces despite an international outcry. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) AFP AFP/Getty Images

A boy with the Russian flag painted on his cheek reacts as pro-Russian supporters celebrate in Sevastopol on March 16, 2014. Crimeans voted Sunday in a referendum to join Russia as tensions escalated in eastern Ukraine in the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. Russia President Vladimir Putin vowed to "respect" the outcome of the vote in a region that is now under the de facto control of Russian forces despite an international outcry. AFP PHOTO/ VIKTOR DRACHEV (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP/Getty Images) AFP AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators wave the Ukrainian flag as they march through the streets of London towards the Russian embassy on March 16, 2014, in protest against Russia's actions in Crimea and Ukraine. Crimeans voted Sunday in a unique referendum on breaking away from Ukraine to join Russia that has precipitated a Cold War-style security crisis on Europe's eastern frontier. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) ANDREW COWIE AFP/Getty Images

A demonstrator chants slogans as she takes part in a march outside the Russian embassy on March 16, 2014, in protest against Russia's actions in Crimea and Ukraine. Crimeans voted Sunday in a unique referendum on breaking away from Ukraine to join Russia that has precipitated a Cold War-style security crisis on Europe's eastern frontier. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read ANDREW COWIE/AFP/Getty Images) ANDREW COWIE AFP/Getty Images

BACHCHISARAY, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Referendum staff collect the votes of people too infirm to visit the polling station on March 16, 2014 in a prodominantly Russian area of Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BACHCHISARAY, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Referendum staff collect the votes of people too infirm to visit the polling station on March 16, 2014 in a prodominantly Russian area of Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BAKHCHYSARAI, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: A boy sits and waits as his parents cast their vote at a polling station on March 16, 2014 in Bakhchysarai, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BAKHCHYSARAI, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People cast their votes at a polling station on March 16, 2014 in Bakhchysarai, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BAKHCHYSARAI, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People cast their votes at a polling station on March 16, 2014 in Bakhchysarai, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BAKHCHYSARAI, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People cast their votes at a polling station on March 16, 2014 in Bakhchysarai, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

BAKHCHYSARAI, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People cast their votes at a polling station on March 16, 2014 in Bakhchysarai, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÃ? push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Spencer Platt Getty Images

Members of a local electoral commission unload a ballot box at a polling station in Simferopol on March 16, 2014. An overwhelming 93 percent of Crimeans voted on March 16, 2014 to become part of Russia in a referendum deemed illegal by the new authorities in Ukraine and most of the internatinal community, exit polls showed. AFP PHOTO/ VASILY MAXIMOV (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images) AFP AFP/Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: Election staff begin the count at a polling station after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Bachchisaray, Ukraine. Crimeans go to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing to push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favour Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 16: People in Lenin Square attend a pro Russian rally after a day of voting on March 16, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Crimean's went to the polls today in a vote that which will decide whether the peninsular will break away from mainland Ukraine. The referendum, which has been dismissed as illegal by the West, follows the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych by pro-Western and nationalist protesters. As the standoff between the Russian military and Ukrainian forces continues in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, world leaders are continuing toÃ? push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating situation though many believe that there is every likelihood that thy vote will favor Crimea being incorporated into Russia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Spencer Platt Getty Images

Pro-Russian demonstrators hold Russian flags and flags with the colours of the ribbon of Saint George, a Russian military decoration, as they gather in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly on March 16 in favour of joining former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. Exit polls cited by local officials showed 93 percent of the voters in favour of leaving Ukraine and joining Russia in the most serious redrawing of the map of Europe since Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images) FILIPPO MONTEFORTE AFP/Getty Images

A Crimean man makes the victory sign as he celebrates in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 93 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

A Crimean couple kiss as people celebrate in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 93 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

People celebrate in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 95.5 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ VASILY MAXIMOV (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images) AFP AFP/Getty Images

People sing the Russian national anthem as they celebrate in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 95.5 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

People sing the Russian national anthem as they celebrate in Simferopol's Lenin Square on March 16, 2014 after exit polls showed that about 95.5 percent of voters in Ukraine's Crimea region supported union with Russia. Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) DIMITAR DILKOFF AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian special troops stand guard in front of the parliament during a session in Kiev, on March 17, 2014. Crimea was due to formally apply to join Russia on March 17 after voting to split from Ukraine, as Europe prepared to hit Moscow with a wave of sanctions in the worst East-West stand-off since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian special troops stand guard in front of the parliament during a session in Kiev, on March 17, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on March 17 approved the partial mobilisation of troops to counter "Russian interference" in the country, a day after Crimea was due to formally apply to join Russia after voting to split from Ukraine, as Europe prepared to hit Moscow with a wave of sanctions in the worst East-West stand-off since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian special troops stand guard in front of the parliament during a session in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukraine's parliament on March 17 approved the partial mobilisation of troops to counter "Russian interference" in the country, a day after Crimea was due to formally apply to join Russia after voting to split from Ukraine, as Europe prepared to hit Moscow with a wave of sanctions in the worst East-West stand-off since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

A man holds a placard with a Kalashnikov machine gun reading "Should be in every home" in front of the parliament in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea, the country's defence minister said that day even as media reported the separatist peninsula planned to disband Ukrainian units there. The day before Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

A woman holds a placard with an Ukraine's map reading "Stop War" in front of the parliament in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea, the country's defence minister said that day even as media reported the separatist peninsula planned to disband Ukrainian units there. The day before Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

A woman holds a placard with a Russian matryoshka doll holding a machine gun and reading "Go home!" in front of the parliament in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea, the country's defence minister said that day even as media reported the separatist peninsula planned to disband Ukrainian units there. The day before Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

People hold Ukrainian flags as they gather in front of the parliament in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea, the country's defence minister said that day even as media reported the separatist peninsula planned to disband Ukrainian units there. The day before Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

Maidan self-defence activists stand guard in front of the parliament in Kiev on March 17, 2014. Ukrainian troops will remain in Crimea, the country's defence minister said that day even as media reported the separatist peninsula planned to disband Ukrainian units there. The day before Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to join former political master Russia as tensions soared in the east of the splintered ex-Soviet nation amid the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: Members of the public walk between a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: Members of the public walk between a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: Members of the public walk between a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: Members of the public walk between a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: A member of the public walks past a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE - MARCH 17: Members of the public walk between a line of Russian and Ukrainian Berkut riot police on March 17, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. Voters on the autonomous Ukrainian peninsular of Crimea voted overwhelmingly yesterday to secede from their country and join Russia. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Dan Kitwood Getty Images